Question

Explain what is meant by primary, secondary and tertiary amines.

a) In a primary amine, 1 hydrogen atom in ammonia has been replaced by an alkyl or aryl group
b) in a secondary amine, 2 have been replaced
c) in a terinary amine, 3 have been replaced.

Answer 1

Amines are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of hydrocarbon groups attached to the nitrogen atom.

Step-by-step explanation:

Amines are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary by the number of hydrocarbon groups attached to the nitrogen atom. A primary amine has one alkyl (or aryl) group on the nitrogen atom, a secondary amine has two, and a tertiary amine has three.

For example, in a primary amine, 1 hydrogen atom in ammonia has been replaced by an alkyl or aryl group. In a secondary amine, 2 hydrogen atoms have been replaced. And in a tertiary amine, 3 hydrogen atoms have been replaced.